Final: Dodgers 4, Diamondbacks 3

LOS ANGELES – Left-hander Clayton Kershaw had a season for the ages in 2013, winning the Cy Young and leading the Dodgers to two wins away from the World Series.

His ERA then? 1.83. After his latest start Friday night at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw’s ERA this season, with one apparent aberration removed, now stands at 1.84.

The Dodgers ace shut down the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 4-3 Dodgers win Friday, pitching seven innings of one-run ball while striking out seven and walking one.

Six of those strikeouts were looking, a career-high. His overall ERA remains 2.93 because of a five-out, seven-run effort in Arizona in May, but he has been consistent every other time out.

Matt Kemp started Friday’s scoring with a two-run home run in the second inning, his sixth homer of 2014 but his first in 26 games. That was his longest homer-less streak since 2006, his rookie season.

After Hanley Ramirez laced a double to left to begin the seventh, Adrian Gonzalez drove him in with a liner to right. Pinch-hitter Justin Turner added an additional insurance run with an RBI single in the eighth.

Kershaw’s replacement was right-hander Brian Wilson, but he gave up three singles to the first four batters he faced. Left-hander J.P. Howell entered and ended that threat, but closer Kenley Jansen ran into more trouble in the ninth.

He gave up two hits and a walk, putting the go-ahead run on base, but bore down to strike out two and induce a flyout to end it.

Wilson’s WHIP now stands at 2.05, the highest of any pitcher in the majors with at least 20 innings to his name this season.

After Manager Don Mattingly praised the Dodgers’ defense in recent games, Dee Gordon made two superb plays at second base in Friday’s fifth inning, utilizing bounce throws each time after sliding to secure fast-paced grounders.

The Dodgers (36-33) have won nine of 12 against Arizona. They have now played 100 games on Fridays that fall on the 13th day of a given month.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.